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Biomedical subjects

K Alestig

Publications and source records attributed to K Alestig.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The clinical pictures of giant cell arteritis. Temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and fever of unknown origin.

In a prospective study, 68 hospitalized patients were diagnosed as having giant cell arteritis. Temporal artery biopsy was performed in all patients and showed histologic evidence of arteritis in 42 (62%). Twenty-six patients had a negative biopsy but met the clinical criteria for the diagnosis. Four different clinical pictures were recognized. Thirteen patients (19%) had symptoms of localized temporal arteritis without muscular discomfort. The polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome without signs of localized arteritis was seen in 33 patients (49%). Seventeen (25%) had symptoms of both polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis. Five patients (7%) had general symptoms only, such as fever, anorexia, and fatigue, without muscular or arteritic symptoms.

Aged↗

Quantitative nephrotoxicity of gentamicin in nontoxic doses.

The effect of gentamicin on the renal function of 36 patients was studied by means of several techniques. After normal or even subnormal doses of gentamicin, progressively decreasing rates of glomerular filtration, as measured by clearance of [51Cr]ethylenediaminetetracetic acid, were observed in a majority of the patients, although trough and peak concentrations in serum were well below accepted levels of gentamicin toxocity. Correspondingly, the serum half-lives of gentamicin tended to increase during the courses of treatment. Changes in levels of serum creatinine were not pronounced enough to demonstrate the decreasing rates of glomerular filtration. Studies on serum and urinary levels of a low-molecular-weight protein, beta2-microglobulin, indicated that gentamicin affects the kidney both on the glomerular and the tubular level. The results emphasized the need for monitoring of gentamicin dosages as well as the need for alternative antibiotics to treat patients with preexisting renal impairment.

Aged↗

Phlebitis induced by parenteral treatment with flucloxacillin and cloxacillin: a double-blind study.

Two studies were performed on a total of 54 patients with staphylococcal infections. Study I compares with phlebitogenic properties of flucloxacillin after intravenous infusions when either saline or sterile water was used as a solvent. No difference was observed between the two solvents, and the frequency of phlebitis for the total material without respect to solvents was 5% after 1 day of treatment and 13% after 2 days. Study II was a double-blind comparison of phlebitis caused by intravenous infusions of either flucloxacillin or cloxacillin. The frequencies of phlebitis were found to be 18 and 13%, respectively. After 2 days of treatment the frequency of phlebitis increased dramatically for both drugs. All infusions were given through a plastic cannula of 5-cm length and 1.2-mm diameter.

Adolescent↗

Absorption and excretion of metronidazole after administration of metronidazole benzoate mixture.

Serum concentrations and urinary excretion of metronidazole after single dose therapy were investigated in patients with giardiasis. A metronidazole benzoate mixture was administered to 10 adults in total doses of 2 g and to 6 children in doses of approximately 50 mg/kg body weight. No unhydrolyzed metronidazole benzoate was found in the serum. The maximum serum concentrations of metronidazole averaged 30 microgram/ml. These values as well as estimated metronidazole absorption were approximately 30% lower than in 3 adult patients given single doses of 2 g of pure metronidazole in tablet form.

Adult↗

Septicaemia in patients with central vein catheters. An evaluation of a method including weekly exchange of catheter.

A method for the care of central vein catheters (CVC) including exchange of catheter is described. The method has been used during 6 years in an intensive care unit for patients with severe infections. Nine out of 140 patients (6%) developed catheter related septicemia which was considered as a satisfactory result for patients with plre-existing systemic infection. A bacteriological study showed that the puncture site was colonized by bacteria belonging to the skin flora one day after introduction of a CVC. Cultures from the catheter tip mainly seemed to reflect the flora at the puncture site.

Adolescent↗

Local and Gastrointestinal reactions to intravenously administered cefoxitin and cefuroxime.

Side effects of cefoxitin and cefuroxime were noted in 2 different studies during intravenous treatment for at least 14 days. In the cefoxitin group of 33 patients thrombophlebitis was observed in 3 cases and diarrhoea in 4 cases. In the cefuroxime group of 31 patients 1 case of thrombophlebitis was noted and 5 cases of diarrhoea occurred. Most patients with diarrhoea had decreased renal function or received higher dosage of the antibodies than the other patients.

Aged↗

Fatal pneumococcal septicaemia in a young asplenic man.

A report is given of a fatal pneumococcal septicaemia in a young man, who had been splenectomized after a traffic accident, but who was not otherwise immunodeficient. Adequate treatment could not prevent the progress of a very severe DIC-syndrome. The use of a polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine after splenectomy is recommended.

Adult↗

Serum levels of immunoglobulin and complement in giant-cell arteritis.

The levels of IgG, total complement, and complement factors C3 and C4 were elevated in serum from patients with giant-cell arteritis as compared to a control group of patients in the same range of age. No increase of the IgM concentration was found. The concentration of IgA was higher in men with giant-cell arteritis as compared to men in a control group. This increase of IgA was not seen in women. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the studied variables between those with a histologically verified arteritis on temporal biopsy specimens and those without.

Aged↗